Another explosion in the distance. Bran ignores it.
"At first, it was because I wanted to enjoy Tiernon's suffering.
I hadn't expected the emperor to have his own son tortured—that was a nice surprise.
But the true enjoyment came from watching Tiernon pine for you.
I'd planned to eventually turn you in to the emperor so I could watch him fully break.
And then I realized I could use you for something far more important. "
Sharp, undeniable clarity suddenly grips me. "You never would have kept your side of the bargain. You would have made sure I was caught. How were you planning to get around the bond?"
A vicious smirk. "The bond is irrelevant as soon as one of us is dead."
"And you'd make sure I was caught the moment I killed the emperor? You would have gone down with me, Bran."
He raises one eyebrow. "Not if you were immediately executed. Then, everyone would learn how you worked with that little bitch Calena to organize this attack. Something that's only too easy to believe after the way you saved her life during your third challenge.
Thank you for that truly unexpected gift. "
A numb realization slides over me. Bran may be wrestling with madness, but he's backed me neatly into this corner.
I'm going to die.
Bran smiles. "I see you're understanding how this will work.
And as soon as everyone learns that Tiernon was your lover?
When they learn Rorrik gave you a spot on the imperius?
It's truly disturbing how the brothers worked together to get you close to the emperor so you could kill him.
One by one, my witnesses will speak of the brothers' strange obsession with the novice from the Thorn, and how the three of you collaborated to remove the emperor from his throne. "
And with both the emperor's sons accused of his murder, Bran will seize power during the confusion.
"Tiernon and Rorrik will never let that happen."
"They'll turn on each other the moment you're dead. Rorrik still hates his brother with everything in him. After all, it was Rorrik who saw you first all those years ago in the Thorn."
My mouth goes dry.
What? How—
His smile widens. "Vampires are nothing if not possessive. And sometimes we break our toys so no one else can have them."
"Why tell me this now?"
"Sadly, no one else will be able to appreciate my brilliance. And there's something infinitely satisfying about watching you come to terms with your death.
I thought about this moment each time you looked at me with such disdain.
Each time you rebelled against my wishes.
As soon as I realized you'd somehow taken your brothers back, I agreed to allow the rebels to strike.
By now, Vallius Corvus is either dead or dying.
How truly fortunate that I was able to kill you during your escape—directly after you arranged for his death. "
Bran squeezes the crossbow in his unsteady, spasming hands. My heart leaps into my throat. Will I feel the explosion? Or will my death be too quick?
His eyes widen, and he shifts his gaze over my shoulder, firing past me.
I whirl. My pulse stumbles, and then careens, as my instincts scream at me to freeze.
A wyvern hovers behind me, its colossal form blocking the star-strewn sky.
It shifts, and the aether bomb from Bran's crossbow flies beneath it, slamming into the arena behind us.
Obsidian scales absorb all light as its membranous wings beat lazily, sending dust and sand swirling through the air to mix with the smoke.
It opens its mouth, revealing serrated teeth, and I wait for my demise.
Merciless, yellow-gold eyes glitter with rage as it lets out a roar. The entire arena shudders, and the wyvern turns its angular head. Rorrik's eyes meet mine from where he lounges elegantly across the creature's back.
Shifting to the side, I give the wyvern a clear shot at Bran. But it doesn't take it. Instead, Rorrik leaps from its back, turning to murmur something too low for me to hear.
The wyvern disappears and I jolt. It somehow managed to hide itself completely, turning invisible.
Rorrik prowls toward us. Relief rushes through me, dizzying in its intensity. He's not Tiernon, but …
"Disappointed, darling?" Rorrik purrs.
I swallow, knees weak with relief. "That is my prevailing emotion when I'm in your presence."
But not this time.
He snaps his teeth at me with a savage grin. Then he's strolling toward Bran, an intent look in his eyes.
He could have killed him immediately. He wants something.
Bran lifts the crossbow. Rorrik moves faster than I can track, and the crossbow is suddenly in his hand. "A gift," he says, looking at it in mock surprise. "Thank you, brother. I've always wanted one of these."
"You," Bran hisses. "You killed Elva. You're the reason my little hostages were freed."
My mouth drops open and Rorrik winks at me. Rorrik was the distraction that allowed Tiernon to rescue my brothers? And he killed Elva?
Something wrenches in my chest, and suddenly all I can see is that dark contemplation in his eyes when I told him I couldn't break Bran's bond without risking Evren and Gerith.
Rorrik drops the crossbow, and I flinch. But the aether grenades are gone, somehow tucked out of sight.
Rorrik strolls toward Bran, as if he has all the time in the world. The smoke is becoming thicker now, and I let out a choked cough. Rorrik flicks me a single glance before returning his attention to Bran and holding out one hand. "Give me the book and I won't kill you."
Bran's smile is a nasty taunt, and he opens his jacket, revealing the red book I saw the day he badgered me with my brothers. "You mean this?"
Rorrik moves.
It's so fast, I trip backward, almost falling from the upper level. Bran twists, his teeth exposed, barely staying out of Rorrik's reach.
Dropping to my knees, I slide off the marble bench and to the level beneath us. Even an accidental hit from a vampire could easily kill me.
Bran lets out a hiss, and I watch as he lunges to the side, still attempting to outmaneuver Rorrik, who looks bored.
They move so fast, I only see them each time they stop, in new locations across the upper level.
Bran is so much older. But Rorrik's power is immense.
Another bomb hits the stands beneath me and I clutch the bench as the marble cracks with impact. The vampires pause, just feet away. I need to get out of here while they're distracted.
I inch back.
"Uh-uh," Rorrik says, his eyes on Bran. "Stay where you are, little rabbit."
I grind my teeth but stay put. I know just how dangerous Rorrik is in this mood.
"F-fine." Bran holds out the book, hand trembling. "Take it."
Rorrik snatches it, and … I've never seen this look on his face before. It's a look of awe, as if he's suddenly gotten something he has longed for but never truly expected to hold.
His gaze lifts to Bran, who goes white.
"Arvelle," Bran hisses, meeting my eyes over Rorrik's shoulder. "If you let him kill me, my rebels will hunt you until the day you die."
Rorrik's eyes meet mine in silent question. I trace a finger over the spot on my neck that has caused me so much pain and give Bran a grim smile. "The bond is irrelevant as soon as one of us is dead."
Thud.
The sound is sickeningly familiar, and I flinch.
Bran's body falls to the ground, and Rorrik drops Bran's heart next to him, carelessly wiping his hand on his black tunic.
Pain sears my neck, making my eyes water. But it's a cleansing pain, and the moment Bran hits the ground, my thoughts sharpen. My impulses become my own. I still want the emperor dead, but the need to kill him is no longer all-consuming.
"You said you wouldn't kill Bran if he gave you the book."
Rorrik's gaze sweeps over me, dripping with condescension, as if I'm a harmless, doe-eyed fool. "I lied. Move closer to me."
He just tore out yet another heart, but I comply. Rorrik gives me an approving look that makes me gnash my teeth. But he's already shifting his attention to a blur in the distance, moving toward us. The smoke clears, and a vampire approaches, close to the spot where I was just standing.
The same vampire who escaped the day Rorrik killed Lucius. The vampire I noticed at the top of the arena.
His thin lips are spread in a tight smile, displaying his fangs in an obvious threat. "Finally, you die, traitor."
The vampire sprints toward Rorrik, an aether bomb in his hand.
My vision narrows until all I can see is Rorrik.
"Shouldn't you be off terrorizing someone?" Tiernon growls.
Rorrik's eyes meet mine. "I thought I was." Warmth spreading through my stomach at his teasing tone, my lips almost curving despite my fear.
My heart slams into my ribs as the vampire lunges.
Rorrik's icy gaze on mine as he stares at me like the thousands of spectators are invisible. "Do you feel powerful in this moment, little rabbit?"
Time slows to a crawl.
Rorrik leaning close, his eyes intent. "Do you truly believe people are just one thing? Entirely good or entirely evil? Is it really just that simple for you?"
I hate Rorrik. But I don't want him dead.
The revelation shakes me to my core.
My silver dagger is suddenly in my hand as I throw my body in front of Rorrik's. He rocks forward in surprise, his hands slamming down on my shoulders.
My dagger slides into the rebel vampire's heart like a warm knife through butter. He stares at me, bewildered, and my throat swells shut as I watch the life go out of his eyes.
"No!" Rorrik roars, echoing my thought. He catches the aether bomb in one hand, pushing me away with the other. For one long moment, he stares down at the vampire.
He whirls on me, teeth bared, and I back up, my knife dripping blood.